1951 Authority and Responsibilities

Georgia State Seal

Department of Human Services
Policy and Manual Management System

Index:

POL 1951

Revised:

07/11/2024

Next Review:

07/11/2026

Policy

The policy of IIU is to investigate all complaints of alleged employee misconduct, including anonymous complaints, when possible, to determine the validity of the allegations and take appropriate action.

The OIG Internal Investigations Unit (IIU) is responsible for addressing allegations of misconduct by employees, contractors or others associated with the Department of Human Services (DHS). The goal of IIU is to: (1) identify such persons who engage in misconduct; (2) improve proficiency and efficiency through a review of policies and procedures identified during an investigation; and (3) protect employees against false allegations.

Authority and Responsibilities

The IIU has the authority and responsibility to engage in the following:

  1. Initiate investigations as deemed necessary and appropriate the Inspector General or his/her designee.

  2. Ensure that each investigation is handled in a professional, thorough, complete, timely and unbiased manner, using all approved techniques and resources made available to the investigative staff.

  3. Refer matters that do not fall within the purview of the unit to the appropriate administrative and/or prosecutorial agencies, such as the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and/or the Office of the Attorney General.

  4. Conduct joint investigations with other oversight or law enforcement agencies, or assist such agencies, as requested.

  5. At the conclusion of the investigation, the assigned Senior Investigator will prepare a written report that contains the reported allegations, the findings of each allegation, a list of persons who were interviewed and a list of any evidence obtained during the investigation.

  6. Engage in prevention activities, including but not limited to; training, education, and review of policies and procedures.

  7. Maintain information regarding the cost of each investigation.

The IIU is provided the following powers to accomplish its responsibilities:

  1. Open and conduct investigations as deemed appropriate the Inspector General or his/her designee, as requested by agency or division leadership. With the approval of the IG, the Chief Investigator has the authority to make decisions regarding the method and scope of investigations, within the framework of established policies and procedures.

  2. Require employees to cooperate and provide assistance, when appropriate, with any type of investigation regarding alleged criminal or administrative misconduct.

  3. The right to obtain full and unrestricted access to all offices, employees, records, information, data, reports, plans, projects, contracts, memoranda, correspondence, and any other materials, including electronic data of employees that specifically relate to issues currently under investigation by the OIG.

  4. Encourage employees to report to the OIG any information regarding abuse, neglect, exploitation, fraud, waste, corruption, or illegal acts.

Maintenance of Records and Files

The IIU maintains an electronic record of the allegations and outcomes of complaints against DHS employees on a case management database. Hard copies of the original reports and all associated evidence are secured in locked cabinets and maintained in accordance with all applicable state records retention schedules.

Confidentiality

The nature and source of internal allegations, the progress of the investigation, and the resulting materials are considered confidential information. The contents of the internal investigation files will be retained in a secured location within the area occupied and controlled by IIU OIG. The information and records of an internal investigation will only be released under the following circumstances:

Upon the approval by the Commissioner or his/her designee.

Upon the request of or at the direction of the Office of the Attorney General or a prosecuting entity.

Upon receipt of a court order.

At the request or direction of DHS’ General Counsel, pursuant to an Open Records’ request.

Authority

O.C.G.A. § 49-2-1 et seq.
O.C.G.A. § 49-2-4 et seq.

References

None

Applicability

This policy is applicable to all divisions and offices of DHS.

Definitions

None

Responsibility

  1. The OIG Internal Investigations Unit Chief Investigator is responsible for oversight of POL 1951.

  2. The OIG Internal Investigations Unit Chief Investigator develops, issues and updates procedures to implement this policy.

History

Replaces POL 1951, last reviewed on 7/11/2024.

Evaluation

The OIG Internal Investigations Unit Chief Investigator evaluates this policy by:

  1. Completing an annual internal review to confirm accuracy of the established guidelines.

  2. Passing any review(s) with no findings.